Topics of Analytical and Computational Methods in Tunnel Engineering

In this chapter, a selection of tunneling topics is presented, following the evolution of methods and tools from analytical to computational era. After an introductory discussion of the importance of elasticity and plasticity in tunneling, some practical topics are presented as paradigms to show the successful application of them in achieving a solution. The circular and horseshoe tunnel sections served as the basis of the elastic analysis of deep tunnels. Practical aspects such as influence zone and elastic convergences in both cases are examined. In the case of circular tunnels, the estimation of plastic zone formation is discussed for a selection of strength criteria. After a detailed discussion of the influence of surface proximity, the elastic and plastic analysis of shallow tunnels is examined in some detail. The presentation is completed by a short presentation of computational methods. An overview of recent developments and a classification of the methods are presented, and then some problems for the case of anisotropic rocks have been presented using finite element method (FEM). The last topic is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in interpreting data and in estimating the relative importance of parameters involved in the problem of tunneling-induced surface settlements. In the conclusions a short discussion of the main topics presented follows.